one8 Opens Footwear Pre-Bookings Ahead of Global Premiere

Virat Kohli-backed sportswear brand one8 has recorded strong demand for its debut footwear collection after opening pre-bookings through District by Zomato, ahead of the brand's Global Premiere scheduled for June 21 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi.

The launch introduces a first-of-its-kind retail format in India, combining online product pre-bookings with access to a large-scale physical launch event. Customers who secure a pair of one8 sneakers through District by Zomato will receive entry to the Global Premiere, where Kohli is expected to unveil the next phase of the brand's growth strategy.

According to the company, buyers from cities including Delhi, Goa, Chennai, Jammu, Indore, Mysore, Panipat, and Lucknow participated in the pre-booking initiative, highlighting nationwide interest in the footwear launch.

The collection marks one8's entry into the performance footwear segment and includes three product lines aimed at different consumer groups. The cricket-inspired Seam and Cover Drive franchises draw on the sport closely associated with Kohli's career, while Boom Rush has been positioned as a multi-activity training shoe designed for running and fitness workouts.

The launch is being viewed as an important milestone for one8, which was originally introduced as a lifestyle brand and has since expanded its ambitions within the global sportswear industry. The company is backed by Agilitas Sports, which has been working to scale the brand's product portfolio and retail presence.

"We are thrilled with the overwhelming response on District. It tells us there is real consumer belief for an Indian high-performance brand with global ambition," said Abhishek Ganguly, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Agilitas Sports.

The company said the June 21 event will allow early customers to collect their footwear while participating in an immersive brand experience centered around performance, sport, and innovation.

District by Zomato Chief Executive Officer Rahul Ganjoo said the collaboration reflects a changing retail landscape in which consumers increasingly seek experiences alongside products.

"Experiences are increasingly shaping how India chooses to spend its time and money, and retail is emerging as the next frontier," Ganjoo said. "District and one8 are reimagining shopping by turning product discovery into a shared cultural moment."

Industry analysts say the launch reflects a broader shift toward experiential retail, where brands combine digital commerce with live events to strengthen customer engagement and build communities around products.

The response to one8's footwear pre-bookings also highlights growing consumer confidence in homegrown sportswear brands at a time when India's athletic apparel and footwear market continues to expand rapidly.

The Global Premiere on June 21 is expected to provide further insight into one8's future plans as the Virat Kohli-led brand seeks to strengthen its position in the increasingly competitive global sportswear industry.

About one8

one8 is a sportswear and lifestyle brand co-founded by Virat Kohli and backed by Agilitas Sports. The company is expanding into performance footwear as part of its broader ambition to build a globally recognized sportswear business originating from India.